Alright folks, here's the story of how Gwen and Clarence meet before the epilogue of 'Gwen and the Final Dance Showdown'.

It was sometime after Cuphead triumphed over the Devil and saved Ms. Chalice and Gwen. Gwen recently went back to her job at the Honeycomb Herald and she was hailed as a hero with a party by her bee colleagues. One Friday afternoon, Gwen's phone rang and Gwen answered,

"Editorial Cartoon department. Gwendolyn Mae Emmons speaking."

"Hey sis!" Rose greeted.

"Sis! I'm still at work! What do you need?" Gwen whispered.

"Sorry, I'll make it quick! Will and I decided to go out dancing tonight in Boston. Wanna join us? And don't worry, mama and papa will watch the kids." Rose quickly explained.

"Sure Rose! I need to get out." Gwen whispered.

"Okay, come by our house at five." Rose said.

"Okay, gotta go! Love you! Bye!" Gwen whispered and hung up.

Later, Gwen clocks out, grabs her satchel, tapped her ink pen and disappeared back at the cottage. Gwen gets ready for the night out and steps through the door portal to Rose's house.

Gwen knocked and William and Rose answer the door. Both sisters hugged each other.

"Hey Gwen, you ready?" Rose asked.

"You bet Rose!" Gwen answered.

The trio head to an outdoor restaurant with a dance floor. They are seated at a table and socialized for a while. After dinner, Rose and William decide to go dancing while Gwen sat alone and continued eating. Gwen thought about herself being free from marrying the Devil, but she also worried that he may strike again and try to kidnap her again. Because after all, he is the Devil.

Meanwhile, near the jazz band playing the music, a young blonde man was play ukulele. He winked at some pretty girls, but they ignored him. He held out his hat for some tips, but only a few people threw in a few pennies, to his disappointment. Suddenly, the manager goes up the blonde man and warned him to stop joining in with his jazz band or else he'd be banned.

He sighed and said,

"What's the use? I'll never get discovered and get into showbusiness. They'll never know the name Clarence James Hopewell."

Clarence was about to leave with his ukulele until he just noticed Gwen sitting alone at the table.

"Wow. Who is she?" Clarence asked himself, being struck by her beauty.

He makes himself presentable and heads over to Gwen's table. He asks her,

"Hi there ma'am. Wanna dance?"

Gwen looked up at Clarence and said,

"Uh, sure." Gwen answered.

"Mind if I set my ukulele net to your table?" Clarence asked.

"Uh, no. Go ahead." Gwen said.

Clarence puts his ukulele under the table. After that, he reaches his hand out, gesturing her to come with him. Gwen reluctantly gets up and goes with him to the dance floor.

"So, how come I haven't seen you around here before?" Clarence asked.

"Uh, I don't get out much." Gwen lied.

"Oh, you don't? Well, there's a first for everything. I've seen many faces around town. But you're like the first one I've never seen." Clarence said.

They both reach a space for them to dance. Clarence holds her in a dance position and leads her into a dance. Gwen is unsure at first, but after the music gets jazzy, Clarence shows off his impressive dance moves to Gwen.

"Wow. You're quite a dancer." Gwen said, impressed.

"Thank you. It's my thing along with that ukulele you saw earlier. Trying to get into showbiz." Clarence explained.

"Oh, nice." Gwen said as she starts to have fun.

Gwen and Clarence started dancing with each other and Gwen actually enjoys herself. Rose and William look and saw Gwen dancing with Clarence as she said.

"About time she met somebody. The Devil doesn't deserve my sister at all." Rose said with a smile.

"Yeah. She deserves to be happy." William agreed as he danced with his wife.

After the music ends, Clarence and Gwen smile at each other.

"Oh, we haven't been properly introduced. I'm Clarence James Hopewell." Clarence introduced himself.

"Gwendolyn Mae Emmons. Gwen for short." Gwen introduced herself.

"Emmons? Wait, are you that girl that went missing months ago?" Clarence asked, realizing who Gwen was.

"Oh, you know about that?" Gwen asked.

"Yeah, I heard around town you vanished one night and then was found over a month later." Clarence explained.

"Yeah, that's me." Gwen chuckled.

"So, where did you vanish…"

Clarence was going to ask when all of a sudden, an older gentleman ambushed Gwen and held a pocket knife at her throat.

"What the? What are you doing?!" Gwen yelled. The crowd of dancers gasped at Gwen being held hostage.

"You're coming with me little lady. I was supposed to be your husband before your untimely disappearance. Then, I was captured and couldn't grab your parent's fortune!" The armed suspect angrily explained.

Gwen realized he was the conman who almost conned her father into marrying before the Devil kidnapped her. Remembering her training from Ribby and Croaks, Gwen stomps on the conman's feet, making him yell out in pain. Then, she ducked down under his arms, turned around and kicked him in the gut.

"Wow, you can fight?" Clarence asked.

"I had a couple of teachers." Gwen said.

Clarence pulls Gwen behind him and prepares to protect her. The conman charges at Clarence and dodges his knife attacks. Clarence manages to knock the conman down with some of his attacks. But suddenly, the conman pins Clarence down to the ground, preparing to kill him. Clarence realized he was next to Gwen's table. With quick thinking, Clarence grabbed his ukulele and hit the conman in the head, knocking him unconscious. Clarence caught his breath until everyone applauds Clarence for his heroic rescue. Gwen reaches her hand to him. Clarence takes her and she helps him up.

"Why did you do that? You could've died saving my life." Gwen asked.

"What else could I have done? Let him hurt you? No way." Clarence answered.

"Well, thank you." Gwen thanked and gave him a hug. Clarence blushed, then he smiled and hugged her back.

The police arrived and arrested the conman. Rose and William approach Gwen and Clarence.

"Hey mister? Thank you so much for protecting my sister." Rose thanked Clarence.

"That was really brave of you." William added.

"Aw forget it." Clarence said.

"Rose, William. This is Clarence James Hopewell. This is my sister and brother in-law Rose and William Smith." Gwen introduced.

"Nice to meet you." William said as he shook Clarence's hand.

"Sis, we better get going." Rose said.

Gwen goes with Rose and William with Clarence tagging along to William's car.

"So, Gwen? I uh… I wanna see you again." Clarence said.

Gwen was shocked that he is in to her.

"Uh maybe. We'll see." Gwen struggled to speak.

"Maybe this weekend or something?" Clarence asked.

"I don't know. I gotta go. Bye!" Gwen said and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Then, she gets in the car with Rose and William drives away. Clarence stood in shock, then smiled, danced with joy and leaves the restaurant.

Two days later, Gwen is at the Emmons house with her family for Sunday dinner. After dessert, Gwen was about to head back to the Inkwell Isles.

"I'll talk you later! Love ya!" Gwen called out.

But when she opened the front door, Clarence was right there about to knock. Gwen gasped at Clarence holding a handpicked bouquet of flowers.

"Oh, uh. Hey Gwen. I was just in the neighborhood. And I thought I'd drop by." Clarence said.

"Clarence? What are you doing here?" Gwen asked as she stepped outside and closed the door.

"I had to see you again." Clarence said as he presented her a bouquet of handpicked flowers.

Gwen looked at them, knowing they were handpicked from other gardens. But regardless, she accepts them.

"Wow, thanks. I don't know what to say." Gwen said, smelling the flowers.

"Well, you could say 'yes', cause I wanna ask you if you wanna go for a stroll?" Clarence asked, working up some courage.

"Oh, um. Okay, but just for a while." Gwen reluctantly agrees.

They go for a stroll around the neighborhood for a while. It starts to get dark until Gwen said,

"Alright, that was great but I really should be getting back."

"I'll walk you home. Make sure nobody else attacks you again." Clarence offered.

"No, thank you. I can handle myself. You saw me." Gwen said.

"But…" Clarence tried to speak until Gwen interrupted,

"Don't worry. I'll be alright. Good night."

Gwen walks back to her parent's house. Clarence starts to think Gwen is hiding something. He quietly follows her, hides behind a tree in the front yard. Gwen gets out her ink pen and activates the door portal, to Clarence's shock. Just as Gwen enters, Clarence follows her but accidentally trips on a rock and bumps into Gwen, falling into the cottage in the Inkwell Isles.

"What the? What just happened?" Clarence asked in shock, looking around at the new strange surrounding.

"Oh, this is just great! Here we go again!" Gwen said frustratingly and facepalmed.

Just then, Clarence noticed his new cartoon-like appearance and asked,

"Uh, why do I look like a cartoon character from the picture shows?"

Gwen sighed, now having no choice but to explain the cartoon world called the Inkwell Isles and it is far different from the human world.

"Okay, this is a lot to take in. The Inkwell Isles? This cartoon world? Everyone is either an animal, object, person, food or plant?" Clarence asked.

"Pretty much. We humans stick out as realistic because we're not from this world. Everyone else is cartoony-like." Gwen explained.

"Oh wow. It's all real, isn't it?"

"Yes. Look, I've already said enough. You should go home and forget you ever saw this world." Gwen said as she directed him to the door portal.

"Well, I would if I could. But I can't." Clarence hesitantly answered.

"Yes you can. I'm not gonna stop you." Gwen said.

"No, I mean… I don't have a home." Clarence revealed.

Gwen's eyes widened, realizing he was a street urchin just like Ms. Chalice.

"Wait a minute. Are you a street urchin?" Gwen asked, figuring it out.

Clarence sighed and nodded.

"Yeah, I was dumped at the orphanage as a baby. Grew up there until I turned 18 and was forced to fend for myself since I never got adopted. Been on the streets for the past year or two ever since. I play, sing and dance for coins every day to get by every day and then I sleep in a shack in a homeless camp." Clarence sadly explained his past.

Gwen's heart sank, now deciding to help him since he saved her life at the restaurant. She thinks for a moment and gets an idea.

"You helped me Clarence. Now I will help you." Gwen said.

"How? I don't want to intrude on your home. Nice place by the way." Clarence said as he looked around the cottage.

"This isn't my cottage; this is my second family's home. But anyway, come with me. I'll show you something." Gwen said, changing her mind about sending Clarence back to the human world.

"Second family?" Clarence asked.

"I'll explain later." Gwen said as she led him outside the cottage.

Clarence is in awe of the forest around him. Gwen led him to the cabin she and her family spent Christmas with last December. Gwen opens the door, shows Clarence around the cabin. Then, she shows him to one of the rooms.

"Alright, you can stay in here. Bathroom's down the hall. Kitchen's downstairs, there's food in the fridge and I'll be at the cottage if you need anything." Gwen explained.

"Wow, this is amazing. I haven't slept in a bed in forever." Clarence admitted.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Gwen said, feeling sympathetic.

"Well, good night Clarence." Gwen said as she was leaving.

"Good night Gwen." Clarence called.

Gwen walked back to the cottage, wondering if she was doing the right thing letting Clarence live in the cabin for a while. Gwen is greeted by her best friends and Elder Kettle and heads to bed.

The next morning, Gwen tapped her ink pen and teleported back to the cabin. Gwen magically makes a plate of fresh eggs, bacon and toast. She opens the door and notices Clarence looking around some more.

"Good morning Clarence." Gwen greeted.

"Oh hey. Good morning." Clarence said, turning around.

"I brought you some breakfast." Gwen said, handing him the plate of food.

"Aw thanks." Clarence said as he took the plate of breakfast.

After eating, he asked,

"So, what are we doing today?"

"I was thinking, maybe I could help you find a job in the Inkwell Isles. To get you back on your feet, let you live in the cabin until you find a place of your own in the future?" Gwen offered.

Clarence's eyes widened.

"Really? You'd do that for me?" Clarence asked.

"Yes, I'm repaying you for saving me earlier." Gwen answered.

"Thank so you much. You won't regret this Gwen." Clarence thanked.

"I think I know some friends maybe you could work for." Gwen said, having a few ideas.

"Okay." Clarence said as he was making himself presentable and grabbed his ukulele bag.

They both head out into the forest down the dirt road. They pass Porkind's Emporium wagon-shop as Clarence asked,

"What's this place?"

Gwen's eyes popped, realizing she forgot to warn Clarence about Porkrind.

"No! Stay away from Porkind's Emporium!" Gwen said quickly.

"What? Why?" Clarence asked.

Gwen noticed the door opening, turns Clarence around and said,

"Just watch."

Porkrind angrily kicks out Jerry.

"You don't have enough dough, you gotta GET OUT!" Porkrind yelled rudely.

Jerry runs away past Gwen and Clarence as he gasped in shock at the sight of Porkrind and Jerry.

"Oh. I see your point." Clarence said nervously. Gwen turns Clarence around again to avoid eye contact.

"Yeah. He's a penny-pinching grump you don't wanna get mixed up with." Gwen whispered.

"What did you say kid?" Porkrind rudely asked.

Both human's eyes popped, realizing too late he was standing behind her and Clarence.

"Be quiet! I'll do the talking." Gwen whispered and Clarence nodded.

They both turned around and saw Porkrind standing behind them with a grumpy look on his face.

"Oh, hey Porkrind. I was just showing my new friend around. We were just passing by, that's all." Gwen nervously explained and smiled.

Porkrind gave her a suspicious look, then turned his attention to Clarence.

"Let's get one thing straight here 'new guy', I run this shop over there and you don't wanna mess with this pig." Porkrind warned Clarence.

"Porkrind, leave Clarence alone! We were just passing by, not to mess with you! Good day!" Gwen scolded as she stepped between Clarence and Porkrind.

"Uh…" Clarence struggled to speak until Gwen said,

"Come on, let's go."

She grabbed his and led him away from Porkrind.

They tried looking for a job at the Movie Theater, Optician Shop, Inkwell Pier and Art Museum; but to no avail.

Later, they walk back into the forest.

"I'm sorry Clarence. I didn't realize it was harder than I thought." Gwen said sadly.

"It's okay Gwen. I appreciate all you're doing for me. I really do." Clarence assured her.

Just then, they hear a foghorn blow close by.

"Hey, what's that boat over there?" Clarence asked, pointing over to a riverboat.

"I know that sound anywhere. That's the Fly Trap. A fancy boat restaurant and club for mostly insects. The owners are my personal trainers." Gwen explained.

"Oh cool." Clarence said.

Gwen thought for a moment and gets another idea.

"Follow me." Gwen said and led him to the entrance.

They notice a line of insect customers entering the Fly Trap with Ribby and Croaks once again greeting them.

"Come on in folks! We're having our 'buy one get one half off' drinks today!" Ribby announced.

"Yeah!" Croaks added.

"Stay for dinner and get a free complimentary dessert!" Ribby announced.

"What he said." Croaks added.

Gwen and Clarence approached the Fly Trap.

"Hey, hey kid! Haven't seen you in a while!" Ribby said, noticing Gwen's presence.

"Hey there kid!" Croaks added.

"Hey Ribby. Hey Croaks. How's it going guys?" Gwen asked.

"Oh, it's been great! Our club is up and running all thanks to you kid!" Ribby answered as he wrapped his large boxing glove hand around her shoulder.

"You was very brave at the dance show! We taught you well!" Croaks complimented as he wrapped his boxing glove hand around her other shoulder and both give her a noogie on her head.

"Aw, thanks guys." Gwen said, trying not show pain.

"And who's this young man? Another brand-new face just like you were!" Ribby asked, noticing Clarence.

"Guys, this is Clarence James Hopewell. He's new to the Inkwell Isles from the human world too." Gwen introduced him to the frogs.

Clarence nervously smiled and waved, seeing the frogs tough on Gwen.

"Hi. Nice to meet you both." He nervously said as he stared at the frogs.

"So, what brings you by today kid? Showin' him around like you did for your sister?" Croaks asked.

"Yeah, I was also wondering if you guys had any job openings for Clarence? He's a plays ukulele and he's a singer and dancer." Gwen bravely asked and explained.

Both frog's eyes popped as Clarence shows off his ukulele playing skills, scatting and dancing.

"Look kid, you know my brother, sometimes you and I handle all the entertainment on this boat. We ain't taking any auditions." Ribby explained.

"I know Ribby, but maybe you could let him play alongside your band tonight, give him a test run? You and Croaks can still do the entertainment and Clarence could just play along your band and won't get in your way? Please?" Gwen asked.

Both frogs looked at each other, they both get an idea. Then they look at Gwen again and Ribby said,

"Okay kid. We'll let him play along with our band during our show…"

Gwen hugged both frogs.

"Oh, thank you guys!"

Croaks lifted Gwen up and placed her back down.

"Uh! Uh! Uh! Not so fast kid!" Croaks said.

"Oh, let me guess. You guys want something from me again?" Gwen asked, remembering her first time she needed their help in exchange for helping them.

"I was gonna say, on one condition. You're working with us again tonight kid." Ribby explained his conditions.

"Deal." Gwen agreed and reached both her hands.

Both frogs grab her hands and shake on it.

"Ow."

Gwen softly said, after getting her hands squished again.

Both frogs grab Gwen's upper arms, lift her up as Ribby said to Clarence,

"Follow us new kid."

The frogs carry Gwen in the boat while Clarence followed behind. They lead him next to the stage in a corner where the insect band played. Croaks sets Gwen down as Ribby announced,

"Alright gents listen up! We got a temporary ukulele player playing along with you guys tonight!"

Clarence nervously waved to the band as they look at him in a confused way.

"This is Clarence. He's new in town. Be nice!" Ribby warned.

The four insects nodded as Clarence set up his ukulele and tip hat.

"Come on kid, you're coming with us." Ribby said, looking at Gwen.

Both frogs carry Gwen to the front of the boat and have her start her usual duties greeting guests and shaking hands.

Clarence stood there in shock, wondering how Gwen deals with Ribby and Croaks. Moving that thought aside and started tuning up his ukulele. He looks at the piano player's music and studied what song they were playing. Then the band gets started playing jazz music as Clarence played his ukulele, improvising with the song. So far, everything goes well as the boat sails on the water. Clarence tries to earn some tips, but so far no one tips him.

"Hmm, maybe I won't have any luck in this world." Clarence sadly thought to himself.

Just then, Ribby and Croaks are on the stage with Gwen standing behind them once again, ready to use the magic inkwell for their show. After their opening with their comedy, they signal the band to get ready along with Gwen. She is unsure about their usual song about their mother this time since they always sing about her. The band plays the opening notes to the song as the frogs started to sing the 'Muddah' Song. But before they could continue, they notice the audience getting bored as some customers yelled,

"Not this song again!"

"We want something new!"

"Boring!"

"Lame!"

The audience started booing at Ribby and Croaks.

"Okay. Okay folks! You want something new? Here!"

Ribby nervously said as he instructed the band to play another song. But it was still a song about their mother. The audience continued booing at the frogs as Gwen was unsure what to do now. The frogs leave the stage to try to think of something. Clarence thought of an idea and said,

"Just what the doctor ordered."

Clarence gets up on stage with his ukulele.

"Clarence! What are you doing?" Gwen whispered.

"I know I might get fired or beat up for this, but just trust me on this. I know exactly what these folks want." Clarence whispered as he walked up to the microphone.

The audience stopped booing and saw Clarence on stage and watch him. He cleared his throat, took a deep breath and played the opening notes to the Fred Astaire song The Way You Look Tonight. A spotlight is light on him as he started singing the song and the audience is captivated with his singing voice. Ribby and Croaks run to see what was happening and they both stare at Clarence singing and playing on stage.

After singing the song, Ribby and Croaks were about to go after Clarence until the audience cheered and demanded an encore. Gwen stood in shock that Clarence won the audience over. Clarence smiled and decided to play and sing the Bing Crosby song Pennies From Heaven. The band started playing the music as Clarence started dancing as he scatted. Gwen started dancing on the stage as the audience started dancing on the dance floor.

Ribby and Croaks stood there with their mouths hung open at Clarence saving their entertainment. After the song and dance, the audience cheered for Clarence and Gwen. The frogs hop on stage and Ribby announced announced,

"New part of the show folks! So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks to our human musician here! Now, how about some dancing folks?"

Ribby signals the band and whispered,

"Make with the music!"

The band started playing jazz music as couples continued dancing. The frogs pull Clarence and Gwen aside. Gwen gulped, fearing they were in trouble.

"You, new kid got a lot of nerve taking over our entertainment on our boat!" Croaks scolded.

Clarence gulped in fear, thinking they were preparing to beat him up or kick him out.

"Because of your actions, we have no choice but to…" Ribby said.

Gwen and Clarence held each other, fearing the worst.

"… Keep you around for a while longer!" Ribby finished with a big smile.

Gwen and Clarence were both shocked.

"Really? You guys mean it?" Gwen asked.

"You betcha kid. Your new friend really impressed our paying customers!" Croaks explained.

Clarence looked over at the insects leaving tips in his hat, finally happy he's earning real money for once.

"So, you're not gonna kill us?" Gwen asked, hoping they were not mad.

"Are you kiddin' kid? We're gonna keep your friend around and more people are gonna come pay to see him!" Ribby said as he wrapped his hand around her shoulder.

Gwen smiled and looked at Clarence, feeling happy she helped him score a job to help him work his way into show business. Gwen hugged Ribby and Croaks again.

"Thank you guys! You won't be disappointed!" Gwen said happily.

"Okay, okay kid. Let's get back to work." Croaks said as he lifted her up and placed her down.

Later that evening, Clarence continued to play with the band as Gwen helped Ribby and Croaks keep the customers happy. It was almost quitting time and the boat pulls back to shore. The insects were just leaving the Fly Trap when all of a sudden, they all gasped, turned white and froze in terror.

Clarence and Gwen were about to leave when they noticed the customers all frozen in terror.

"Whoa, what happened to them?" Clarence asked, confused.

"I don't know. It's like they looked at something terrifying."

Gwen said as she took a good look at the customers. Suddenly they hear horses snorting behind Gwen. Her heart started beating fast as notice Clarence looking above her, too afraid to speak as he pointed up. Gwen slowly turned around and saw four flaming skeletons on four zombie-like horses armed with weapons. Gwen gasped at the sight and fearfully asked,

"W-w-w-who are you? W-w-w-what do you want?"

One of the skeletons pointed his sword at her and said,

"We're the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. We're acting on behalf of our boss. You're coming with us young lady."

Gwen stood in horror, realizing the Devil broke his agreement on leaving her alone after the showdown.

"Your boss? Who is he, Old Scratch or something?" Clarence fearfully asked.

"Enough talk! Let's go!" One of the Horsemen yelled.

Gwen was not prepared to go without a fight. She took a deep breath, got out her ink pen and prepared to attack as the inkwell glowed. Clarence gasped in shock and asked,

"Your ink pen and that inkwell are glowing? Why are they glowing like that?"

Gwen sighed and said,

"I'll explain later."

Gwen fired her range of attacks at the Four Horsemen. The skeletons were ready to fight back until Gwen used a new attack. She makes four glowing horses rise up and scare the zombie-horses, making them throw the riders off and fall in the water and run away.

"And I got more where that came from!" Gwen yelled.

The skeletons get up out of the water, sizzling from the fire.

"Oh, that feels better." The first skeleton said.

The second skeleton struggled to speak because he spits out a ton of water.

"Horseman number two is right. Our horses ran away again. Another day off!" The third skeleton said.

The fourth skeleton noticed a customer holding a leftover piece of pumpkin pie and said,

"Ooh! Pumpkin pie!"

The fourth skeleton snatched the pumpkin pie piece and was about to eat it until the other three skeletons started brawling over the pie. Gwen stood there and laughed until she got an idea.

"Hey guys!" Gwen yelled.

The four skeletons stopped and looked at Gwen.

"You love pumpkin pie huh?" She asked.

"Yeah!" They all said at once.

"Well, here!" Gwen said as she used her ink pen to create a giant pumpkin pie.

The four skeletons looked in awe, being reeled in.

"If you guys want it, you gotta go get it!" Gwen said as she magically tossed the pie far away like a frisbee.

The skeletons got out of the water and chased after the giant pumpkin pie, far away from the Fly Trap.

Gwen sighed of relief as the customers unfreeze and cheered for Gwen. Ribby and Croaks lift Gwen up and place her on Croak's shoulder while Ribby held her feet.

"Let's give it up for Gwendolyn Mae Emmons here!" Ribby announced.

Everybody cheered while Clarence stood in shock at the magic Gwen performed.

The frogs carry Gwen to the entrance, placed her down and gesture her to fix the damage she accidentally caused while she was fighting the Four Horsemen. The customers gather around to watch her fix the damage excitedly.

"Are you ready for some magic?" Gwen asked everybody.

The audience cheered as Gwen used her ink pen to restore the damage on the boat. After restoring the Fly Trap, everybody applauded Gwen as Ribby and Croaks wrap their hands around her shoulders and give her another noogie on her head. Gwen tried not to show pain as she noticed Clarence looking at her in shock. Gwen knew he was going to freak out at her secret she kept from him.

Later, Gwen and Clarence go back to the cabin and both sit down at the table.

"So… yeah. I'm magical. I have the power to bring anything to life with my imagination." Gwen awkwardly admitted as she showed him the magic inkwell.

Clarence tried to maintain a straight face as he gazed at the inkwell.

"I… uh, didn't think magic was real and all. This is so much to take in. I'm just curious about that glowing ink bottle I mean, how long have you been doing this?" Clarence asked, trying to remain calm.

Gwen chuckled awkwardly and said,

"Uh, for almost a year now, I guess?"

"Almost a year? Can I hear the story?" Clarence asked.

Gwen hesitated, then she said,

"I thought talking about it was gonna get easier. But, I guess some hurts never go away."

Gwen took a deep breath and started the story.

"Before all this, I was ordinary like everybody else. But, growing up with a strict father who had high expectations to be a house wife wasn't easy for a free-thinker like me. One day, I was out in the park and I noticed something glowing fall from the sky. I went over to investigate and I saw a glowing inkwell. I touched it and it beamed some power in me like it chose me to use it. That theory was proven correct when I got out my prized ink pen and dipped it in the inkwell and drew some cartoons and they came to life. I was so excited at first, so I went home and my father announced he found a rich husband for me to marry. I didn't want to go through with it so we had a falling out, he threw my sketchbook in the fireplace out of anger. I had enough of him controlling my life so I went upstairs to my room and planned to run away. That night a bad storm rolled in. So, I decided to wait until morning to leave and catch the morning train to California."

Clarence sat there, feeling sympathetic that her parents tried to make her into someone she didn't want to be.

"Oh my. I thought all parents are kind and loving. But, I guess not all of them are. So, if you were gonna leave for California, what happened?" Clarence asked.

Gwen struggled to speak what happened next, she felt too afraid.

"Gwen? What are you so afraid of? Or is it who are you so afraid of?" Clarence asked, noticing fear in Gwen's face.

Gwen cringed and said,

"That one mistake changed my life forever. Or, even if I had left for California… he would've found me."

"He? Who? Who would've found you? What happened?" Clarence asked, now more curious.

Gwen took a deep breath and answered,

"The Devil happened."

Clarence's gasped as eyes widened, realizing the Devil was real.

"Wait, the Devil? Satan? The Prince of Darkness himself?" Clarence asked.

Gwen nodded sadly.

"What did he do?" Clarence asked.

Gwen reluctantly continued the story.

"I was woken up that night, hearing someone in my room. I realized someone was there and I caught a glimpse of the demon outside my window. I was so scared, I got dressed, resumed packing and was about to leave until he spoke to me. I realized he was right behind me and I turned around and saw him for the first time. I denied he wasn't real at first until he proved to me I wasn't dreaming. He explained he was after the inkwell so I was willing to give it to him, but it electrocuted him. Then he said it had chosen me to be its user so he decided to take me instead. He plans to marry me against my will for the inkwell's power. I tried to get away until he knocked me out. He made my parents witness me being taken away in his elevator to Hell, but not in our world. In the Inkwell Isles which no human had ever heard of."

Gwen had tears in her eyes, unable to bear the memories of that night.

"Oh, wow. So, you didn't just go missing, you were kidnapped." Clarence said, figuring it out.

Gwen nodded as she wiped her tears.

"So how did you escape Hell?"

Gwen continued,

"I woke up in a dungeon cell and learned the Devil was keeping me prisoner until he decided to plan the wedding. I wouldn't go through with it so I managed to break out of the cell, obtained the inkwell and ink pen and used its magic to sneak past the guards and the Devil and used the elevator to get back home. Only I realized it didn't take me home, I found myself in some empty radio show studio. I ran outside and discovered I was in a whole new world. I was terrified of the citizens so I ran away into a nearby forest to hide. I was all alone and scared. I didn't know what to do. That all changed when I met my two best friends in the whole world: Cuphead and Mugman. They found me, brought me to the cottage and met their caretaker Elder Kettle and they took me in. I've been living here in the Inkwell Isles ever since. We had fun adventures together, they helped me keep safe from the Devil and discover what else I was capable of with the inkwell. They even helped me reconnect with my family a month later with help from Rose after she found me one day."

Clarence sat in awe of the amazing story.

"Wow, you've been through a lot this past year. And the Devil's still after you?" Clarence asked.

"I thought he wasn't anymore after recently when Cuphead challenged the Devil to a game to save my best friend Ms. Chalice from her debt and me from marrying him and won by pure luck. But tonight, he proved me wrong when the Four Horsemen showed up. Then again, he is the Devil after all. He never liked following rules." Gwen answered sadly and slumped to the table in sadness.

Clarence thought for a moment. He scooted his chair next to Gwen and held her hand.

"I wanna help. You've done so much for me I wanna keep you safe from the Devil." Clarence bravely said.

"That's very nice of you, but you're no match for the Devil and his god-like powers. I don't want you to get hurt. He's kidnapped my parents, he almost ate Rose alive, he almost kidnapped my twin cousins and he recently kidnapped my infant niece and nephew. But I managed to save them all. I just don't want something worse to happen to you." Gwen admitted her fear.

"Don't worry, I can handle anything. I've been on the streets for a couple of years so I know the dangers of evil people." Clarence explained.

Gwen sighed, knowing that Clarence didn't really know who he's up against. But then again, she knew she could protect him from the Devil's wrath if it becomes necessary.

"Well, okay. But you need to stay away from him and whatever you do, don't make a deal with him. Your soul isn't worth it." Gwen warned him.

"I won't. I promise." Clarence assured her.

Gwen sighed and said,

"Okay, I gotta get home. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, you too." Clarence said as he escorts Gwen to the door.

He opens the door, and Gwen was about to leave until he asked,

"Hey, Gwen?"

"Yes?" She asked.

"You know, you are just full of surprises." Clarence said.

"Well, you're not the only one who's ever said that, but thank you." Gwen said as she smiled.

Gwen leaves the cabin and back to the cottage. Clarence smiled at her, having feelings for Gwen. Clarence closes the door and heads up to his room to bed, wondering what tomorrow will bring.

For a few weeks, Clarence worked at the Fly Trap until he eventually gets discovered by several people and started performing gigs at other places, slowly working his way up in showbiz. One day, he is approached by a radio station manager of WINK and is offered his own radio show, replacing the old game show 'Roll the Dice', which he happily accepts. Gwen gets off of work and leads Clarence with a blindfold over his eyes to a familiar place.

"Okay, we're here."

Gwen said excitedly and removes his blindfold and squealed with excitement. Clarence gasped at the newly restored radio show studio Gwen fixed up with a sign that said 'The Clarence Hopewell Show'.

"Your very own radio show studio." Gwen announced.

"Are you serious?" Clarence asked, amazed.

"Yes! Your own show and your own apartment inside too!" Gwen answered.

"Oh, I don't know. I may've been discovered but I don't know what to do for this show." Clarence said, feeling unsure.

"Don't worry! I'll help you. I told them I would be your manager. You'll be singing, dancing and playing your ukulele. And you could invite others to be on your show. Do good for this town." Gwen explained.

"Really? You mean it?" Clarence asked.

"Yes. So, do you like it?" Gwen asked.

"Like it? I LOVE IT!" Clarence said as he spun Gwen around in the air.

They both laughed and looked at each other.

"Gwen? I uh…" Clarence blushed as she struggled to speak.

Gwen smiled and leaned towards him and he leaned towards her and both shared their first kiss. After they kiss, Gwen remembered something.

"Oh! I just remembered! My best friends are waiting for me! Come on, I'll introduce you!"

"Oh, okay." Clarence agreed.

Gwen took his hand, tapped her ink pen and both disappeared and appear in the forest on a dirt road. Gwen noticed Cuphead, Mugman and Ms. Chalice walking up the road eating ice cream cones. Gwen runs up the road and called to her friends as Clarence followed.